Record numbers attending Anzac Day events around the region, and the messages delivered at those services, suggest a heightened public awareness of escalating global tensions.
Cambridge High School heads Millie Balsom and Malakai Eade with Kaylee Grantham who attends Cambridge High School and is an Air Force cadet representing the number 7 squadron Air Force cadets from Hamilton, prepare to lay a wreath while the hundreds who attended the Commemoration Service outside the Town Hall on Anzac Day watch on. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The messages were widespread and came from regional mayors, Members of Parliament as well as NZ Returned Services Association (RSA) and Cambridge RSA president Tony Hill.
Heightened awareness of global conflicts was likely attributable to today’s almost instantaneous news coverage via social media, he said.
“You can’t go anywhere and not have the news reach you … it’s in our faces all the time.”
More than 1000 people attended Cambridge’s Dawn Service and about 1200 were at the Commemorative event.
“Crowds at events like Anzac Day have definitely grown in number. I am sure that the current turmoil they see in the world is part of the reason. I also think it is marvellous to see them turn out like that. There seem to be more families who are there not only to support people from past wars, but also to support those serving today.”
- Updated with the name of Kaylee Grantham, the Air Force Cadet referred to in the caption.
Cambridge News 1 May 2025
